Bhubaneswar: The Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) is planning to establish model career centres to benefit the people of Odisha, its Director General, Chandrajit Banerjee, said.
Banerjee emphasised that it is both an honour and a privilege to partner with “Utkarsh Odisha – Make in Odisha 2025. “CII is the sole national industry partner for “Utkarsh Odisha – Make in Odisha Conclave 2025,” facilitating participation from national industry leaders in the two-day conclave beginning Tuesday.
CII also facilitated the participation of diplomats from 15 countries, including Australia, Japan, Italy, Egypt, Venezuela, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and Malaysia, among others.
Banerjee highlighted that several meetings were held with large companies, startups, and unicorns, focusing on various sectors.
He made these remarks during an interaction session with industry leaders and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday night.
Banerjee noted that CII has launched various initiatives, particularly in enhancing skilled labour through multi-speciality skill centres. Large companies will focus on training MSMEs and emerging entrepreneurs, he said, adding that this approach has already been successfully implemented in southern and western India.
Additionally, he stated that CII plans to explore the establishment of logistics excellence centres and institutions focused on startups.
Odisha’s Industry Minister, Sampad Charan Swain, expressed gratitude to CII for promoting Odisha as an investor-friendly state.
He stated that the conclave would showcase Odisha’s unique potential, foster new partnerships, and script a new chapter in industrial excellence.
With the vision of Samrudh Odisha 2036 and Viksit Bharat 2047, Odisha is emerging as a leader in green hydrogen and renewable energy equipment within the framework of a circular economy, the minister said.
Swain further remarked that Utkarsh Odisha 2025 has been designed as a transformative platform where ideas meet opportunities.
CII President and ITC Limited Chairman & Managing Director, Sanjiv Puri, highlighted Odisha’s rapid progress in recent years, which has drawn the attention of investors.
He noted that the state government’s strategic initiatives are progressive, and the results are becoming increasingly visible.
The growing influx of investments affirms Odisha’s position as a favourable destination for investors. The state’s geographical advantages, including extensive multimodal connectivity and abundant natural and mineral resources, significantly contribute to its appeal, Puri said.
Furthermore, various labour-intensive industries, such as apparel, agro-processing, and renewable energy, are gaining momentum in the state, driven by supportive policies.
As a result, ITC is expanding its operations in Odisha by investing in food processing, hospitality, and agriculture, he added.
